Cedar Rapids Seeing Increase in Stolen Vehicles

Since many in Marion, work, shop or socialize in Cedar Rapids, this is some good information to keep in mind when parking your car. 

From Cedar Rapids Police:

Increase in Stolen Vehicles

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – July 31, 2013 – A vehicle is stolen every 33 seconds in the United States. A vehicle has been stolen every 35 hours in Cedar Rapids. Although, Cedar Rapids is faring better than the rest of the United States, we have seen an increase in stolen vehicles this summer.

Since June 1, 2013, the Cedar Rapids Police Department has taken 49 reports of stolen vehicles. There has been a steady increase of stolen vehicles in the past three years. Through the end of July, there were 102 vehicles stolen in 2011, 132 vehicles stolen in 2012 and 144 vehicles stolen through today in 2013.

Vehicles have been stolen from all quadrants of town. The most common place vehicles have been stolen from is in residential areas. Most often, cars have been left unlocked with the keys left in the car. Fortunately, 87% of the vehicles have been recovered in Cedar Rapids compared with 57% of stolen cars recovered nationwide. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Reasons for leaving keys in the vehicles include:

1)      I keep my spare keys in the car in case I lock myself out.

2)      I left my keys in the car as I wasn’t planning on driving it today.

3)      But I keep my keys well hidden in the vehicle.

4)      I keep my keys in the car as it saves me time when I’m late for work.

5)      I keep my keys in the ignition so I don’t lose them.

6)      But I was only gone for 5 minutes!

7)      It’s never been a problem before!

8)      But it was in my driveway/alley/on my street.

9)      I leave it unlocked with the keys in it so I can change clothes faster.

10)  I can start it quicker if I leave the keys in the ignition.

Cedar Rapids Police encourage citizens to protect their vehicles from being stolen through simple measures. Do not leave your car running if you are not in the vehicle. LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS. Do not leave the keys in your vehicles. Do not leave anything of value in plain sight. Park your car in your garage with the door down and locked. If your garage is full, park in the driveway when possible. If you do not have a driveway, park close to your house, in well lit areas. Periodically look out the window and watch your car as well as your neighbors vehicles. LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS. Do not leave the keys in your vehicles.

Attached is a current list of stolen vehicles including the date, location and description of the vehicle that was stolen. If anyone sees these vehicles, they are encouraged to report the location of the vehicle to their local law enforcement.

If you have information regarding this or any crime, call Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME (272-7463) or text to CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip. You can continue to trade information with an investigator. Text STOP to opt out at any time.

If the information you give, leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward. All calls are anonymous.